Professional products

Understanding different the types of fibres

A full understanding of the distinctive characteristics of each fibre, whether it be technical or conventional, will be the main factor for the correct choice of rope according to the on board use to which it will be subjected. As we already know, a rope is normally composed of a core which determines the mechanical characteristics relative to the elongation and to the Breaking Load. The core can be used without a cover and in this case it is called a “Single Braid” rope. In other cases, more common, the core is enclosed in a cover (the coloured external part of the rope). This cover has protective and mechanical functions relative to the desired levels of wear and tear and manageability. This type of covered rope is called a “Double Braid” rope.
The core of the rope is constructed using different types of thread such as Dyneema®, il PBO-Zylon® etc. These fibres have different characteristics which are relative to the destination of use. In a similar manner, the correct mix of the fibres which make up the different possible covers will greatly influence the durability of the rope and the efficient execution of a pre-determined running rigging.
This section is dedicated to the choice of rope and to the peculiar characteristics of the various technical fibres.

1) Conventional basic fibers

Fibers that are most commonly used for the production of ropes

PET = Polyestere H.T.

Dacron®

PET H.T.

Trevira®

Others

PA = Polyamide

Nylon®

Enkalon®

Perlon®

Others

2) High performance fibers

Derived from the “aromatisation” of the basic fibers.

LCP

Vectran®

VECTRAN (LCP) is derived from Polyester (PET).

ARAMIDICHE

Kevlar®

Kevlar / Twaron®

Technora®

Nomex

KEVLAR® and other ARAMID fibers such as TWARON® and TECHNORA are derived from Polyamide (PA).

3) Latest generation technical fibers

Two other fibers, completely different from each other in chemical composition
and general technical characteristics, are today among the most important
fibers. They are used for high performance applications. The acronyms that
identify them are HMPE and PBO. The trade names are Dyneema® and Zylon®
respectively. The Dyneema® fiber, while maintaining constancy in its basic
characteristics, offers a choice of performances, as it is available in three
types SK90, SK78 SK75.

PBO

Zylon®

LCP fibers (as Vectran) derived from PET (Polyestere)

Comparative table of the properties of the fibers used by Armare

Tenacity

Elongation at break

Specific gravity

Resistance to atmospheric agents

Abrasion resistance

Fusion temperature

[cN/dTex]

[%]

[Kg/dm3]

[-]

[-]

[°C]

Polyester H.T.

7,6

12,3

1,38

Good

Very good

260

Kevlar®/Twaron®

19,6

3,1

1,39

Little

Poor

430

Technora®

22,3

4,0

1,39

Little

Poor

500

Vectran®

24,2

3,3

1,41

Scarce

Little

330

Zylon®

33,9

2,8

1,56

Very poor

Little

650

Dyneema®

34,2

3,4

0,97

Excellent

Very good

145

Need Help?

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